Nautilus Two

The 141-foot (43-meter) MV Nautilus Two offers 7 to 10-night cruises to North & South Male Atolls as well as Ari Atoll, carrying 24 divers in 12 beautiful cabins to classic Maldives dive sites.

A word from Dom : “This charming traditionally-styled liveaboard is extremely popular with the European market thanks to the laid-back atmosphere and tons of space where you can relax into a true holiday spirit. If you’re not looking for a spa-style luxury liveaboard, but want space, comfort, a great crew and excellent diving, the Nautilus vessel is one of my favorites.” Dominick Macan

Nautilus One 10

On Board Nautilus Two

2 main deck TWIN / DOUBLE cabins
king size double bed, large twin bed (adjacent), deck hatch & port windows
10 lower deck TWIN / DOUBLE cabins
king size double bed, large twin bed (adjacent), deck hatch & port windows

All have a private bathroom, air conditioning & plenty of storage.

up to 3 dives per day all from the dive dhoni
12 liter alu tanks (DIN & INT valves)
15 liter alu tanks (at extra cost)
scuba gear rental (by advance request)
nitrox
water temperature: 78 – 82F, 25 – 28C … 3mm wetsuit recommended

accommodation & diving
meals, snacks, water, tea & coffee
compressed air, tanks, weights & weight belts
airport transfers

international & domestic airfare
juices, soft drinks & alcoholic beverages
scuba rental gear (by advance request)
15 liter tanks & nitrox
environmental tax

Time-tested Maldivian Design

This beautifully constructed traditional wooden vessel offers practical living … plus modern amenities. You’ll enjoy the sun loungers on the very large top-level sun deck where you can bask in sun … or in delicious shade. After your diving day is finished, the crew will be happy to serve your favorite beverage here, allowing you to take in the full breadth of a Maldivian sunset.

The bow & stern on the main deck also have outdoor space with comfortable lounge chairs and sofas. Or you may choose to enjoy the air-conditioned main deck lounge & bar, a popular venue at the end of the day. A hi-fi stereo system with CD and MP3 Player offers musical entertainment. Of course, there is also a large flat screen for viewing your just recorded videos and images and a battery charging station around the clock at your disposal. Cabins are practical, all have side windows and hatches ensuring excellent ventilation. Nautilus Two has two cabins on the main deck, both of which have windows.

The rear of the vessel has a dedicated bathing platforms for snorkeling and swimming in the beautiful Maldivian lagoons. Diving is done from dhoni which is spacious and specifically built for diving, providing easy entries.

Nautilus cuisine consists of a varied menu of local specialties and European dishes. Of course, your own self-caught fish can also be prepared to your individual liking.

Depending on which cruise you choose, a visit to an inhabited island with a ‘palm hike’ and a barbecue on a desert island may be offered. On board Nautilus Two, you’ll find a Jacuzzi on the fore deck.

Travel & Cruise Logistics

Most of the trips begin and end in Male and the closest airport is Male Intl (MLE), all safaris start and end at 09.00 AM. Early morning departures will have an earlier transfer. A crew‐member will pick you up at the Male‐Airport (arrival hall area) holding a Nautilus sign, they will bring you to the dhoni. From the small water taxi jetty the trip to the lagoon, where the Nautilus Two is moored takes about 15 minutes.

Following arrival in the morning there is a check dive in the afternoon. Arrivals at noon and later will have their first dive on the next day. From the next day, the Nautilus boats provide maximum 3 dives per day. When crossing atolls, they offer two day dives and one night dive, subject to the weather conditions. These decisions will be made by the captain.

During whale shark watching (takes approximately 3 – 4 hours) depending on the weather and seasonal conditions, there will only be two dives on these days. One dive only is offered on the day before departure day (early morning dive).

This schedule is altered for Deep South trips which include a domestic flight one way. Full info for these trips is available upon request.

Layout & Specs

Deck & cabin layout, the yacht specifications, equipment & safety features

Specifications

Year of construction: 1999
Length: 30 meters
Beam: 9 Meters
Speed: 10 – 12 Knots (max. 14 Knots)

MACHINERY

Engines: 350 PS, Cummins-Turbodiesel
Power supply: 24 Hours – 230 Volt, German Installation
Water Supply: 3000 Liter Watertank, 2 Desalination Plants

NAVIGATION

GPS
depth sounder

COMMUNICATIONS

Radio

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

oxygen
fire alarms
fire extinguishers
life jackets
support boats

Nautilus Two

Year of construction: 2007
Length: 43 meters
Beam: 13 Meters
Speed: 10 – 12 Knots (max. 14 Knots)

MACHINERY

Engines: 350 PS, Cummins-Turbodiesel
Power supply: 24 Hours – 230 Volt, German Installation
Water Supply: 5000 Liter Watertank, 2 Desalination Plants
Compressor: 2x L&W 570D, 8 charging hoses, ENOS

NAVIGATION

GPS
depth sounder

COMMUNICATIONS

Radio

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

oxygen
fire alarms
fire extinguishers
life jackets
support boats

Itineraries

The Nautilus liveaboard focuses on Central Atolls but adds in some Southern Atolls trips early each year.

The final itinerary is, of course, always dependent upon weather, sea conditions and where the best animal sightings are at any particular time of year

CENTRAL ATOLLS:  your itinerary will include a selection of the most popular central atolls and dive sites.  You can read the highlights below.

  • North Ari Atoll: find caves & overhangs here are home to home to a variety of fish … from dog-toothed tuna, napoleons, trevallies and barracuda to parrotfish, butterflyfish, blue face angelfish, batfish and lionfish. You’ll encounter grey reef sharks and white-tip sharks … while on the top of the reef, countless fusiliers dart around and those lovely, ever-present-in-the-Maldives blue-stripped snappers move in waves. Lovely soft corals and gorgonian fans add color … and there’s a nice little wreck …. a fishing trawler with coral growth and loads of fish and critters to add interest.
  • South Ari Atoll: popular for its population of whale sharks. In season you’re likely to have the opportunity to snorkel with one or more. But, whale sharks aren’t all there is. You’ll find caves and overhangs, more sharks … plus fusiliers, angelfish, tuna & jacks, large sea fans, soft corals and an abundance of other marine life.
  • North Male Atoll: one of the finest sites in the Maldives for sighting those majestic mantas. A cleaning station here can be very busy between May and December, with cleaner wrasse anxious to get to work on their oversized friends as they sail in. It’s a bit like a busy barber shop!
  • South Male Atoll: a challenging thila dive here offers some lovely corals and schools of pelagic fish … plus eagle rays and sharks. Another small wreck features some good macro options.
  • Vaavu (Felidhe): there’s a popular channel dive here with nurse sharks as well as black tip and white tip reef sharks. A possible night dive at a jetty offers up loads of nurse sharks & sting rays. Another dive, loved by photographers in particular, is alive with soft corals in lovely hues and includes a nice variety of reef fish.
  • Rasdhoo Atoll: a popular reef dive which is usually also very sharky if you’re there early in the day … although the hammerheads tend to be around most of the time. Big schools of pelagic fish are commons as well as the ever-present snappers, fusiliers & batfish.

SOUTHERN ATOLLS:  This is big fish & shark territory. You can expect eagle rays & manta rays & massive schools of pelagic fish … but more than anything, expect sharks:  whitetip reef sharks, gray reef sharks. silky sharks, nurse sharks and even tiger sharks …  Some Southern Atolls trips will require domestic flights & depending on the itinerary you choose will visit 1 or more of the following.

  • Vaavu (Felidhe): there’s a popular channel dive here with nurse sharks as well as black tip and white tip reef sharks. A possible night dive at a jetty offers up loads of nurse sharks & sting rays. Another dive, loved by photographers in particular, is alive with soft corals in lovely hues and includes a nice variety of reef fish.
  • Laamu: with fewer channels, you’ll generally have less current, less plankton in the water and better viz. You get some nice hard & soft corals and some interesting critters hiding out within the corals, all of which is a plus for photographers. On the other hand, big animal lovers, don’t despair as you’ll have a couple of good channels with the usual cast of characters, including tuna & trevally, barracuda, grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, threshers and hammerheads. And, yes, typically a bit of manta action, too.
  • Thaa Atoll: known for both mantas and eagle rays and plenty of pelagic fish, there’s also a nice channel dive which often includes a few sharks, including occasionally some silvertips.
  • Foammulah: if you’re looking for sharky dives, you need look no further. Tiger sharks, thresher sharks, hammerheads and silky sharks can be found in this region … plus oceanic mantas. The currents can be wild, so, it’s strictly for advanced divers. If you’re in that category, this is thrilling stuff! There’s also a beautiful wall dive with more of the same characters and schools of pelagic fish.

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